Victims of stalkers are being asked to help an international survey being carried out in the East Midlands.

The University of Leicester and the Network for Surviving Stalking says 900,000 adults are stalked every year in the UK.

The researchers aim to find out first-hand experiences of stalking and how it has affected them and their families.

The research will be published to coincide with Stalking Awareness Month in January 2005.

'Millions affected'

Dr Lorraine Sheridan, a lecturer in the University of Leicester's school of psychology, said: "The work we have carried out over the last seven years has told us that normal people, not celebrities, are the vast majority of stalking victims.

We need to know how they feel about the stalking, the criminal justice system and how it is affecting those around them

Tracey Morgan, Network for Surviving Stalking

"The physical, emotional and financial costs will be measured in this research, and we will produce a 'roadmap' of the course and nature of stalking," she said.

"Stalking is a major issue that touches millions of lives but people have so many misconceptions about it," she said.

Tracey Morgan, director of the Network for Surviving Stalking, said: "We cannot do this without the help of victims of stalking.

"We need to know how they feel about the stalking, the criminal justice system and how it is affecting those around them."

The researchers are hoping that anyone who has been stalked will fill out an online questionnaire.